System and method for suppressing radio frequency transmissions

• US 9,494,677 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2013
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pegasus Global Strategic Solutions LLC (Pegasus Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pegasus Global Strategic Solutions LLC (Pegasus Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brumley, Robert Haywood II, Reedy, Michael J., Brumley, Robert Haywood III
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B
• Application Number:
  US13/959,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20160216365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 342 13- 19, 342/73, 342 82- 88, 455/1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/38 Jamming means, e.g. producing false echoes
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/24 for communication related to weapons
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/92 related to allowing or preventing remote control

Abstract

A system and method for suppressing radio frequency (“RF”) transmissions includes a transmitter for transmitting electronic signals that suppresses (e.g., prevents, disrupts, jams, interferes with or otherwise disables) RF transmissions. Some embodiments of the invention include a transmitter that suppresses one or more signals transmitted from a target transmitter in an RF transmission system to a target receiver in a wireless device operating in the RF transmission system to prevent, disrupt, jam, interfere with or otherwise disable an RF transmission between the target transmitter and the target receiver in the wireless device (i.e., target wireless device). These systems and methods may be used to interrupt communication, command and control of non-friendly combatant. These systems and methods may also be used to suppress RF transmissions to prevent the detonation of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

Claims

1. A system for variable suppression of radio frequency transmissions, the system comprising:

a transmitter unit that;

(i) generates one or more suppressing signals within at least one frequency band, wherein the one or more suppressing signals are output through an antenna to a volume of influence, and

(ii) changes the volume of influence during operation of the transmitter unit to reduce a possibility of detection of the volume of influence, the transmitter unit comprising;

a power source port that enables a power source to be operatively coupled to the transmitter unit to provide power to the transmitter unit; and

an antenna port that enables the antenna to be operatively coupled to the transmitter unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit adjusts a power output level of the transmitter unit to thereby change the volume of influence.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmitter unit adjusts the power output level at periodic time intervals.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmitter unit adjusts the power output level at random time intervals.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmitter unit continuously adjusts the power output level.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit adjusts the at least one frequency band to thereby change the volume of influence.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the transmitter unit adjusts the at least one frequency band at random time intervals.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmitter unit continuously adjusts the at least one frequency band.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mount that mounts the transmitter unit to a vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the power source comprises a power system of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mount that mounts the transmitter unit to body armor that is configured to be worn by a user.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mount that mounts the transmitter unit to a stationary structure.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the power supply comprises an alternating current of the stationary structure.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the second mounted configuration comprises a mounting of the transmitter unit to a stationary structure.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises an omni-directional antenna.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the first antenna comprises a directional antenna.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is controlled to generate the one or more suppressing signals at a signal strength that will provide a volume of influence large enough to inhibit radio frequency transmissions to an explosive device when the antenna is inside of a kill zone of the explosive device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit further comprises an outer case, the outer case being ruggedized and sealed.

7. The system of 6, wherein the transmitter unit adjusts the at least one frequency band at periodic time intervals.